City Councilor Mike Ross answers the Bay Windows article alleging harassment of gay cruisers in the reeds:

... I want to be clear that nothing is more important than protecting the rights of a group that, in the past, has been targeted for discrimination. The clearing of the tall reeds, or phragmites, and the increased police patrols around the Fenway Gardens is not so much a civil rights issue as it is an issue that goes to the core of what makes Boston vibrant, attractive, and accessible to all. Community gardens are important gems within a neighborhood, attracting positive outdoor activity within an urban environment and encouraging families -- both gay and straight -- to enjoy our green spaces. Residents feel unsafe in their own gardens. They have found condoms, needles, and garbage, and are afraid to bring their children to the Fens. Residents have a legitimate complaint. ...

Mike Mennonno posts photos.

Mike Mennonno takes us on a tour of the roses of the Victory Gardens.

Rather than try to summarize Mike Mennonno's saga of how he came by to lose his shovel at the Victory Gardens, I'll just suggest you go read it.

When not getting dissed by surly help at Somerville creperies, Mike Mennonno tends to his garden in the Fenway Victory Gardens. He reports on a green war between members of the Fenway Garden Society over the height of some people's plants:

... For those who protested, the President of the FGS ominously reminded gardeners that back in the day they used to plow the whole thing under every year. He warned that if allies in the Parks Department weren't properly placated, Fenway gardeners could lose their unique privileges. No other community garden has individual plots the size of ours, each with its own fence and gate. He even went so far as to say that there were those who would love to see the gardens themselves, which they consider an eyesore, disappear. ...

Mike Mennonno walks around the Fenway Victory Gardens:

... A casual survey of the Fenway found lots of roses in bloom. And bird-beckoning-berries and seeds ready to sail, and even flowers with last-minute pollen aplenty for bees working overtime. ...

Mike illustrates how there's a right time and a wrong time for everything. He's in his garden at the Fenway Victory Gardens, tending his flowers, when a guy tries to pick him up:

He was like, "I want some seeds."

I said, "what kind of seeds are you looking for?"

He was like, "Your seeds, man!'

Mmm, nice."

He's like, "You gotta gimme credit for that line, man. It took me, like, ten minutes to think of it." ...